Meaning: To become nervous or hesitant about doing something
Hindi: हिम्मत हार जाना / डर जाना
Synonyms: lose nerve, hesitate, back out
Antonyms: be brave, stay firm
Asked in: SSC CGL 2024 T-2 · SSC MTS 2023 · SSC CGL 2022 T-1 · SSC MTS 2021 · SSC Steno 2020 T-1
get cold feet in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CGL 2024 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Complete the dialogue for Person B using the correct idiom.
Person A: I am so nervous. I don’t think I should make the speech tomorrow.
Person B: No. You are just getting _____. You have prepared for this.
(SSC CGL 2024 T-2 (18 Jan))Answer & explanation
Answer: B) cold feet
Explanation:
Cold feet: An idiom meaning a loss of confidence or nervousness about something you were previously committed to doing.
Person A: I am so nervous. I don’t think I should make the speech tomorrow.
Person B: No. You are just getting cold feet. You have prepared for this.
Thus, Option 2 is the right answer. - SSC CGL 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the sentence that uses the idiom correctly.
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Ranita was not selected for the job as she got cold feet.
Answer: Ranita was not selected for the job as she got cold feet.
Explanation:
• “Got cold feet” means became too nervous or hesitant to proceed (घबरा जाना).
• Option 1 uses the idiom correctly: Ranita’s hesitation cost her the job.
• Option 2 refers to literal cold feet from cycling.
• Option 3 & 4 describe physical sensations, not the idiomatic sense. - SSC MTS 2023 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To get cold feetAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) To be afraid
Answer: Option 1 – To be afraid
Solution:
The idiom "to get cold feet" means to suddenly become too nervous or afraid to do something, especially before a big event like a performance, wedding, or decision.
(किसी कार्य को करने से पहले अचानक डर जाना या घबरा जाना)
Analyse the options:
• To be afraid ✅
Correct – matches the meaning of the idiom.
• To be indifferent ❌
Means lacking interest or concern – unrelated.
• To fall sick ❌
No relation to fear or hesitation.
• To run for life ❌
Means escaping danger – not the meaning here.
So, the correct meaning of "to get cold feet" is to be afraid – Option 1.
Examples
- “She got cold feet just before her wedding.”
get cold feet – questions
What is the meaning of get cold feet in Hindi?
get cold feet means “हिम्मत हार जाना / डर जाना” in Hindi. In English: To become nervous or hesitant about doing something
What are the synonyms of get cold feet?
Synonyms of get cold feet: lose nerve, hesitate, back out.
What is the opposite of get cold feet?
Antonyms of get cold feet: be brave, stay firm.
Has get cold feet been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – get cold feet has been asked 5 times in SSC exams: SSC CGL 2024 T-2, SSC MTS 2023, SSC CGL 2022 T-1, SSC MTS 2021, SSC Steno 2020 T-1.